Olympic Boxing: Incompetance and Corruption
Teddy Atlas hit the nail right on the head as he and HBO's Bob Pappa covered Olympic boxing yesterday on NBC. The scoring system stinks.
Teddy Atlas was frank enough to offer a candid observation when he said the scoring disparity of the day could be attributed to one of two things: incompetence or corruption.
He's right on both accounts.
Incompetent judging is something that plaques the professional game as well. How often have you seen the bigger name fighter get a gift decision? It happens all the time.
And corruption just seems to go with the territory.
It's truly sad to see the same hold true for amateur fighters as they struggle to represent their countries.
If you don't know, here is how Olympic scoring is supposed to work:
A point is awarded for a scoring hit with marked part of the glove on the opponent's head (side or front) or body (above the belt).
A panel of five judges decides which hits are scoring hits.
Judges each have two buttons before them, one for each boxer, and they press the appropriate button when they believe a boxer delivers a scoring hit.
An electronic scoring system registers a point whenever three or more judges press the button for one boxer within a second of each other. No point is awarded for a hit unless three of the five judges agree.
It sounds reasonable enough, but I saw at least 20 punches per fight that landed cleanly without being counted as a point. What garbage.
The old way was more similar to the professional method of scoring fights, and though not perfect, at least it made more sense.
The Olympic scoring system awards fighters with fast hands and feet who don't necessarily have to have power. That's why a lot of medal winners never make it in the pro game.
Still, I'll be watching because I support the sport, but we need to change this stupidity. The present system offers no accountability system, no award for fighters who plod forward and fight, and no reason for the lay person to keep watching.
Way to call it like it is, Teddy. I hope you don't get kicked out of China.
3 comments:
Also, headgear is for guys who have office jobs and like to hit the gym on the weekends.
Why not just do this with the system we're used to...
olympic boxing is absolutely making me sick. the judges must be stupid, blind and fingerless. i dont see how teddy can put up with the blatant ignorance .the judges scoring boxing must be the same judges that are scoring mens gymnastics. i think i will go puke now.
Teddy,
Why does boxing have to be scored in real time? Why can't the five judges be isolated in a room and watch the match as we in TV land do? They could score in by watching slow motion. The five judges should also have the option of ejecting a fellow judge/judges that are obviously partial.
Ron
Post a Comment